moving on…

Posted in frosses - inside by paulainauckland

I, well, Simon (with a good deal of coaching-cough-nagging) found the perfect tile for the kitchen splash back last week – only slightly darker than the floor, same texture, but a long rectangular shape rather than square, to elongate the kitchen. We started to put them up last night (work was called to a halt due to needing to relocate one of the power points 4 inches to the right) and they look fabulous. I’m so pleased we waited until we found the right tile.

We had a childless night last night and it’s amazing how much one can accomplish without the “assistant” underfoot. The upstairs toilet, bath and alcove are all gib-stopped too, with just a few corners needing the final touch-ups. I learnt the painful way it’s a lot easier to build up any gaps with light layers than it is to sand it back…

All this and in bed by 8pm!

7Sep2008

Spring’s coming!!!!

Posted in house - gardens by paulainauckland

I took a lazy walk thru the garden today – as opposed to yesterday’s mad rush with Z and the lawnmower. Did I mention how I generally hate doing the lawns? There’s a portion of the lawn which is chamomile, and smells beautiful when stepped on, and then I did accidentally cut a few lemons, which also smelt so good, but the rest is hard slog, just up and down hill and very long grass.

But I did notice the plum tree is starting to blossom. Last year it was covered and we ate so much we got sick of plums. Already Bran’s looking forward to pigging out…

From spring flowers

We’ve had to prop up my favourite tree – in autumn the leaves are the most gorgeous gold and scatter all over the lawn. But it didn’t stand up too well to the recent storms but I hope we can save it. Anybody out there know what it actually is?

From spring flowers

7Sep2008

The Boys in September

Posted in family by paulainauckland

My babies. Typical poses too – Bran looks slightly demented, like a mad scientist who has indulged one too many times with his own experiment;

and Zac, who has now taken over the mantle of “most likely to cause ” but can stil look like butter won’t melt, especially in the proximity of Grandma…

3Sep2008

Fantastic sounds

Posted in playlist by paulainauckland

Yesterday I was introduced to the sound of the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra – they are absolutely fabulous – look for them on Youtube!
Tonight Bran and I were singing along to their cover of “Weather With You” – such a cool moment. I’ve got a big grin on just thinking about it.

31Aug2008

Weekend

Posted in sport by paulainauckland

What a fabulous weekend. Only missing the one child for our last league game of the season, and yippee, Wendy from Glenora’s fully supportive of monthly get-togethers over the summer months; and then yesterday Bran’s team played at Mt Smart in between the Vulcans and the Warriors -and beat Northcote five tries to four.

It was a great send-off to the three departing players and a bloody great game too.

The photo is Bran (to the right, two of his team-mates and Reuben Wiki.

and this one is of him subbing off the field – it looks so much bigger when your baby is playing than when you’re watching Manu thunder down the sideline!

26Aug2008

Dare 52

Posted in scrapping challenges by paulainauckland

Well, here it is, very quickly done last night amid realising that I still have at least half my tools, papers and so on packed in the garage. Along with the scanner, printer and some of my sanity – so it’s a lot simpler page than I intended. Couldn’t find the brads that reminded me of stipper’s pasties so that portion is drawn on…for now.